Psychological research at UVic suggests potential benefits of psychedelics in aiding recovery from concussions and brain trauma.
Headline: Psychedelics May Offer Hope for Healing Traumatic Brain Injuries, According to University of Arizona Research
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers at the University of Arizona have found that psychedelic compounds may aid in healing concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The research, published in ScienceDirect, was conducted by a team led by neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Marshall, with additional collaborators including Dr. James Rodriguez and clinical psychologist Dr. Emily Chen.
The research group's focus is on the use of psychedelic substances for treating TBIs. Specifically, they have been investigating the effects of psilocybin and 5-MeO-DMT, compounds found in certain mushrooms and toad venom, respectively.
When someone receives a blow to the head, it triggers a series of events in the brain, including inflammation, according to Josh Allen, a UVic postdoctoral fellow in neuroscience. Initial inflammation can help brain tissue repair after a blow to the head. However, prolonged inflammation can lead to long-term problems such as learning and memory deficits, depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Christie Lab at the University of Arizona found that these psychedelic compounds enhance neuroplasticity and reduce inflammation within the brain. This could potentially make them effective in treating TBIs, where current treatments are few, and no approved and effective pharmacotherapies exist.
Psilocybin and 5-MeO-DMT have shown safety and effectiveness in treating depression, anxiety, end-of-life distress, substance-use disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder according to recent clinical research. The potential of these compounds in healing TBIs is a promising avenue for further research.
However, more research is needed to understand how psychedelics work on TBIs and how other health conditions and factors, such as age and sex, can affect the outcomes. The research was conducted in collaboration with Leah Mayo from the University of Calgary and Sandy Shultz from Vancouver Island University.
Meanwhile, in other news, the federal government is planning a public registry for its new AI projects. OpenAI wants a lawsuit by Canadian news outlets moved from Ontario to the U.S. The body of a Black student was found hanging from a tree in Mississippi, causing outrage. TikTok deal framework has been reached with China and U.S. officials. Scientists have discovered the oldest mummies ever found, offering insights into our ancient past.
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